Brown County is urging its residents to take an Internet connectivity survey as part of an effort to secure BEAD grant funds. PC: Fox 11 Online
BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) is awarding $1 billion in Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) grants, and Brown County is asking its residents for their help in securing part of those funds.
To do so, all residents are encouraged to complete an Internet connectivity survey.
“In order for us to be competitive in the BEAD grant dollars, we have to be able to prove that residents in Brown County do not have the [Internet] access that is advertised,” Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach said. “When we look to the PSC, who is going to be the power that ultimately grants these dollars, they need to be using data that is actual.”
Streckenbach emphasized the impact that survey participation by Brown County residents will have on possibly receiving grant funds.
“We’re building our case to show the actual data, so that when the PSC goes through their granting process, we can show them the reality,” Streckenback said. “The advertised reality says there’s a lot of coverage. But the actual experience of our residents is that there’s not.”
Securing BEAD funds would assist Brown County in improving broadband access and Internet connectivity for residents and businesses. All Wisconsinites are encouraged to take the survey, as better broadband is a statewide initiative.
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